[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE ON THE PASSING OF DAVID HERMANCE--THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN 
                                 PRIUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 5, 2007

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David 
Hermance, who was killed in a plane crash in Southern California on 
November 25th. David was the North American Executive Engineer for 
Advanced Technology Vehicles at Toyota, whose headquarters is located 
in my congressional district.
  Although most Americans may not know his name, David Hermance was one 
of the most influential engineers and environmentalists in the country. 
He was only 59 years-old when the experimental aircraft he was piloting 
crashed into the Pacific Ocean, and his tragic death is a stunning loss 
not only for his family, but for the larger community he served.
  Equally respected in the environmental community and the automotive 
industry, David was known as the ``Father of the American Prius''--and 
for good reason. He had a knack for translating complex systems and 
technologies into easy-to-understand concepts, and he worked tirelessly 
to help lay-people understand the workings and benefits of hybrid and 
other advanced-technology vehicles.
  It was David's passionate approach and commitment to the environment 
that helped persuade a skeptical industry and auto-buying public to 
appreciate the enormous potential of his work. In fact, Madam Speaker, 
my family drives two hybrid vehicles--one in California and the other 
in Washington, DC.
  David will be sorely missed--as an outstanding individual and beloved 
colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family: his wife Mary, 
his children Keith and Kathy, his grandson Colin and sister Bonnie.

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